Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies
Super thick and chewy Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies made from scratch are the ultimate treat for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a gathering, celebrating a birthday, or simply indulging in a sweet craving, these cookies stand out with their rich flavor and delightful texture. The combination of cold butter and a mix of dark or milk chocolate ensures every bite is a delicious experience. Get ready to impress your friends and family with this irresistible recipe!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Irresistible Flavor: The combination of brown sugar and chocolate creates a rich, caramel-like sweetness that you won’t be able to resist.
- Thick and Chewy Texture: These cookies maintain their thickness while providing that perfect chewy bite, making them a delight for cookie lovers.
- Simple Ingredients: Made with basic pantry staples, this recipe allows you to whip up these cookies anytime without fuss.
- Versatile Treat: Enjoy them fresh from the oven or store them for later—these cookies taste great either way!
- Perfect for Sharing: With 10-12 cookies per batch, they’re ideal for sharing at parties or gifting to friends.
Tools and Preparation
Before diving into the baking process, gather your essential tools and equipment. This will ensure a smooth cooking experience and help you create the best Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies possible.
Essential Tools and Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Electric mixer
- Baking trays
- Parchment paper
- Cookie scoop
Importance of Each Tool
- Mixing bowl: A large mixing bowl provides ample space for combining ingredients without spills.
- Electric mixer: Using an electric mixer saves time and ensures that your dough is mixed evenly.
- Baking trays: Proper baking trays help distribute heat evenly for perfectly baked cookies.
- Parchment paper: Lining trays with parchment prevents sticking and makes cleanup easy.
Ingredients
Super thick and chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies made from scratch.
Ingredients:
– 115 grams (1/2 cup or 1 stick) unsalted butter, COLD (straight from the fridge), roughly chopped
– 190 grams (1 cup) brown sugar
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1 large egg, cold
– 245 grams (1 and 3/4 cup) plain flour or all-purpose flour
– 1 tablespoon cornflour or cornstarch
– 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
– Pinch of salt, optional
– 225 grams (1 and 1/2 cups) dark or milk chocolate, chopped by hand
– 50 grams (1/2 cup) walnuts, roughly chopped, optional
– Sea salt flakes
How to Make Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 180 C (350 F) standard / 160 C (320 F) fan-forced. Line two baking trays with baking or parchment paper.
Step 2: Mix Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, add the cold butter and brown sugar. Beat with an electric mixer until combined. Then add the vanilla extract and cold egg. Beat again until everything is mixed well but be careful not to over mix.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
Add the plain flour, cornflour, baking soda, and salt (if using). Beat on low speed until a soft cookie dough forms. Add the chopped chocolate and walnuts; beat briefly until just combined.
Step 4: Scoop Cookie Dough
Using a cookie scoop, portion out roughly two tablespoons of dough per cookie. Place them on prepared trays, ensuring there is enough space between each scoop for spreading.
Step 5: Bake the Cookies
Bake in the preheated oven for about 12-14 minutes or until they are golden brown. Allow cookies to cool completely on the tray before sprinkling sea salt flakes on top.
Enjoy your freshly baked Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies, perfect for any occasion!
How to Serve Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies
Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies are a delightful treat that can be enjoyed in various ways. Here are some serving suggestions to enhance your cookie experience.
With a Glass of Milk
- A classic pairing, milk complements the rich chocolate and buttery flavors of the cookies perfectly.
Ice Cream Sandwiches
- Use two cookies to sandwich your favorite ice cream flavor for a decadent dessert.
Warmed with Whipped Cream
- Heat the cookies slightly and top with whipped cream for a comforting treat that’s perfect for colder days.
Dipped in Coffee
- Enjoy these cookies with a hot cup of coffee or espresso for a delicious contrast of flavors.
Topped with Sea Salt Caramel
- Drizzle warm cookies with sea salt caramel sauce for an indulgent twist.
How to Perfect Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies
To achieve the ultimate Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies, follow these tips for perfect results every time.
-
Use cold ingredients: Starting with cold butter and eggs helps maintain the dough’s texture, ensuring the cookies stay thick and chewy.
-
Do not over-mix: Mix just until combined to keep the dough tender. Over-mixing can lead to tough cookies.
-
Chill the dough: Refrigerating the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking enhances flavor and helps prevent spreading too much during baking.
-
Scoop generously: Use about 2 tablespoons of dough per cookie. Bigger scoops mean thicker, chewier cookies.
-
Keep an eye on baking time: Bake until golden brown but still soft in the center for that perfect chewy texture.
Best Side Dishes for Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies
These mouthwatering Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies pair well with various side dishes. Enjoy them alongside these tasty options.
-
Vanilla Ice Cream: A scoop of vanilla ice cream adds creamy sweetness that complements the cookie’s rich flavors.
-
Fresh Berries: Strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries offer a refreshing contrast to the richness of the cookies.
-
Chocolate Milkshake: Indulge in a thick chocolate milkshake for an extra-chocolaty experience that’s hard to resist.
-
Coffee Cake: A slice of coffee cake provides complementary flavors, making it a great afternoon treat.
-
Fruit Salad: A light fruit salad balances out the sweetness of the cookies while adding freshness.
-
Cheese Platter: Pairing cookies with mild cheeses can create an interesting sweet and savory combination that intrigues your palate.
-
Nutella Dip: Serve warm cookies with Nutella for extra chocolatey goodness that everyone will love.
-
Hot Cocoa: Enjoying these cookies with a cup of hot cocoa makes for a cozy dessert option during chilly evenings.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When making Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies, even small errors can lead to disappointing results. Here are some common mistakes to watch out for.
- Using warm butter: Warm butter can lead to a flat cookie. Always use cold, roughly chopped butter for the best texture.
- Not measuring ingredients accurately: Incorrect measurements can ruin your cookies. Use a kitchen scale or measuring cups properly for precise amounts.
- Overmixing the dough: Overmixing can make cookies tough. Mix just until combined for a soft and chewy result.
- Skipping chilling the dough: Chilling helps develop flavors and improves texture. If you have time, refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking.
- Ignoring baking time: Baking too long will make your cookies hard. Check them at 12 minutes to ensure they stay chewy and soft.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Refrigerator Storage
- Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
- Keep cookies separated with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Freezing Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Freeze uncooked dough balls for up to 3 months.
- Place them in a freezer-safe bag or container, labeled with the date.
Reheating Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Oven: Preheat to 180°C (350°F). Bake cookies for about 5-7 minutes until warm.
- Microwave: Heat individual cookies for 10-15 seconds on high for a quick warm-up.
- Stovetop: Place cookies in a skillet over low heat for about 2-3 minutes until warmed through.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re curious about Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies, here are some common questions answered.
What makes Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies special?
Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies are known for their thick and chewy texture with a crispy edge, making them uniquely satisfying compared to regular cookies.
Can I substitute ingredients in this recipe?
Yes! You can use different types of chocolate or nuts based on your preference, such as semi-sweet chocolate or pecans instead of walnuts.
How do I know when my cookies are done?
The edges should be golden brown while the center looks slightly underbaked. They will firm up as they cool.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend designed for baking to enjoy gluten-free Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Final Thoughts
Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies are a delightful treat that brings comfort and joy with every bite. Their thick and chewy texture makes them irresistible, while the option to customize with different chocolates or nuts adds versatility. Give this recipe a try; you won’t be disappointed!
Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Total Time: 29 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 10 cookies 1x
Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort treat with homemade Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies. These super thick and chewy cookies are the perfect blend of rich flavors and delightful textures, making them ideal for any occasion. With a combination of cold butter and your choice of dark or milk chocolate, each bite promises to be a delicious experience. Whether you’re celebrating a special event or satisfying a sweet craving, these cookies will impress everyone.
Ingredients
- 115 grams (1/2 cup) unsalted cold butter, roughly chopped
- 190 grams (1 cup) brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large cold egg
- 245 grams (1 and 3/4 cups) all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon cornflour (cornstarch)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- Pinch of salt (optional)
- 225 grams (1 and 1/2 cups) chopped dark or milk chocolate
- 50 grams (1/2 cup) chopped walnuts (optional)
- Sea salt flakes for topping
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Line two baking trays with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cold butter and brown sugar. Beat until well mixed, then add vanilla extract and cold egg, mixing again without overdoing it.
- Gradually add flour, cornflour, baking soda, and optional salt. Mix on low speed until a soft dough forms. Fold in chopped chocolate and walnuts.
- Use a cookie scoop to portion out two tablespoons of dough per cookie onto the prepared trays.
- Bake for 12-14 minutes until golden brown. Let cool slightly before sprinkling with sea salt.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
